Needle-straightening machine.



3.3mm. NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

IA PPL IOATI0N FILED JUNE 7, 1911.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. IN VE N TOR WITNESSES.

3.22. NOON. I NEEDLE STEA'IGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1911.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

BSHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

H. E, NOON.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTBNING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1911.

Patented Jam. 1, 5 SHEETFSHBBT 3.

Lmwoa- WITNESSES.

A TTOHIi E V H. E. NOON.

NEEDLE STRAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATiON FILED JUN; 7,1911.

Patented J an. 19, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

vQ Maw m5 WITNESSES.-

): TTOR/VE v H E NOON.

HEEDLE STBAIGHTENING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1911.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

swm

UNITE s'raa ns PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT E. "NQION, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR 1330 THE SINGER MANUFAG- QUBINGCOMPANY, A GOEEORATION OF JERSEY.

NEEDLE-STRAIGBTENING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Applination fi lefi llune 7, 1911. :SErielNa-SMBM.

vide a simple andeffective mechanism for straightening light bars or Wires, and particnlarly sewing machine needles, and the following description relates more particularly 'to the. tnuing of sewing machine nee dies-subsequent to the tempering operation.

In its preferred form, :the improvement comprlses a plurality of separated rigid sup- .pQlts one of WlllCh' is movable toward and 20f tive face with a needle-shank recess or from the other and is provided in its opera- .pocket serving as a hearing, within which the shank of the needle is revoluhly heldby a spring-pressed rotator applying a substantially invariable yielding and resilient pressure thereon to maintain the needleblade spaced slightly above the face or operative "edge. of the stationary support or anvil. A straightener in the form of a rapidly reciprocating hammer operates upon the needle-blade between said supports and constantly close to the stationary support. Theposition of the needle in being straightened is thus gaged by the contact of its rotating shank upon the walls of its recess and the needle is sustained similarly to the manner in which it is held in the needle-clamp of a sewing machine, While the straightening. operation is performed progressively upon the needle-blade from the shank to the eye by aseries of regulated impacts of the hammer proportionate to the eccentricity of the needle relative to the axis of its shank.

.A stationary needle-hopper is mounted at one :side of the movable needle-supportwith its hottom at substantially the same level therewith, and needles are successively conveved from the hopper to said support by an inserter comprising a reciprocatory slideplate affording a bottom for the hopper and provi led with a needle-cavity registering alternately vvith the interior of the hopper and with a needle-shank receiving recess or pocket formed in the upper face of the needle-support. The needle-com'eymg slideherein termed a striker, between which great plate has pivotally connected with its outer portionan ejector consisting of a pair of fingers adapted to engage a-needle within the needle-recess to remove a straightened needle therefrom, simultaneously with the conveyance thereto of an unstraightened needle from {the hopper.

The-action of the-hamn1er is governed by an lmpact-regulator which is preferably controlled in its operation by a feeler con-- tacting with and partaking of the eccentric movements of the needle at the bend or eccentric portion close to the stationary support or anvil and upon the side thereof opposite the hammer. To this end, the hammer has rigidly connected to it, so as to partakeof its reciprocatory movements a movable stop-member which is for convenience and a fixed abutment or thrust-block is interposed a transversely movable space-block preferably in the form of a .vedge and sustained by a vibratory arm fixed to a roclzshaft to which is rigidly secured a feelerarm formed of relatively yielding members each carrying one of the component sections of the needle-engaging die. The vibratory increments of the fee1erarm derivedfrom the rotation of the bent needle-blade or other article to be straightened are communicated to the space-block aifor ding the active member of the impact-regula tor and Whose position intermediate the striker and the station ary abutment determines the point at which the operative movements of the hammer are arrested corresponding in extent with the degree of deflection or eccentricity of the needle or other article.

It has been found in practice in the tempering of needles that the distortion due to successive heating and rapid cooling is t at the points where differences in thickness occur, viz.. at the junction of the blade with the shank and at the eye, While in. the intermediate portion the distortion is comparatively slight. Owing to the small amount of deflection of needles having even the maximum degree of distortion received under actual-working conditions, and the extremely small power possessed by thenee- Patentedil'an. 19, 1915.

without materially increasing the complex ity of the mechanism, to time the hammen blows so that they shall be delivered invariably .in exact register with the extreme point of deflection of the needle. Accordingly, instead. of adjusting the machine to deliver oneor more straightening blowsin exact register with the bend or crook to be removed, at or intermediate the extremities oi the blade during the rotation of the nee die, the mechanism is constructed to produce in each cycle a, cornparatimly large number of relatively light blows in quick succession, the period of action of the hammer and the lengthwise feed of the needle being so timed that a primary series oi? regulated blows delivered upon the blade adjacent the shank while the needle continues to rotate, so that a suflicient number of impacts is delivered in such portion of the nee dle to perform the straightening action cumulatively. A further series of blows is distributed along and around the biadc in such manner as to remove any deflection therein intermediate the shank and a point near the eye, at which point the feed of the needle is. again arrested for delivery-0f a final series of concentrated regulated blows around the circumference of the needleblade adjacent the eye, preferably somewhat greater in number than the primary series bf blows with an effect at such point similar to that previouslyproduced adjacent the shank.

The present improvement will be more fully understood by reference to the ac companying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the needlestraightening machine, and. Figs. 1 andl" are details of parts of the frictionwheel driving mechanism and Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the hammer-head. Fig. is-a. plan of the machine and Figs. 3 and l are respectively an end view and partial 15 a pertransverse section thereof. Fig. 5 spectiveview of the needle delivery chute and holding receptacle, showing the needlesupport extension 151 in advance position and in operative engagement with the finger Z09 oi the needle-detaining gate 206.. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the hammer-shaft with the striker and a portion of the hammer-helve. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the bed of the machine with the anvil and needle-carriage and adjacent parts, Fig. 8 a similar view representing the needle-carrier and ejector and the needlesupport, Fig. 9 a perspective view'of the forward portion of the needle-carrying slide-plate, taken from the lower s de, an

Fig. 10 a perspective view of the needlesupport and ejector. Fig. 11 IS a perspective view of the the lower side. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the space-block with its carrying lever the mechanism.

needle-hopper taken fromand means for controlling the position of the same, Fig. 13 a PGISPEClllYG view of the feeler arm and the sectional dic supported thereby, Fig. l t an outer face view of the sectional die, and Fig. 15 an elevation representing the means of adjustment of the component spring members of theicelenarm. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the stopbar for arresting the hannner action. Figs. 17 and 18 represent developments of the hammer cont-rolling and feed-cams respectively. Fig. 19 is a plan and Fig 1-0 an elevation representing a modification of the hammer-s roke con trolling means.

The machine 18 constructed with a frame.

comprising the base-plate 1 to which are so cured by means of screws 2 the feet 3 of the end standards a which support the bed 5 sustaining the various operative parts of Secured to the lower side of the bed 5 are the bearings (i in.which is jo'urnaled the cam-shaft 7 having fixed thereon the worm-wheel 8 meshing with the worm 9 secured upon the transverse mainshai't 10 mounted in bearings 11. secured upon; the base-plate 1. Loosely mounted upon the main-shaft is the hub 12 of the grooved belt-whcel 13 which is encircled by a belt 1% from the source of power for ro tating the main-shaft.

The rearward end of the hub 12 is formed with a projecting clutch-tooth 1 5 adapted for engagement with the similar clutchtooth 16 upon the adjacent face of the grooved belt-wheell'i whose hub 18 is fixed upon the main-shaft, and which is embraced by a belt 19 running over the grooved beltwheel 20 fixed upon the transverse hammeractuating shaft 21 journaled in the spaced bearing standards 22 extending upwardly from one end of the bed 5. The forward end of the hub 12 of the driving belt-wheel 13 is formed with an annular groove 23 entered by the flattened head 2-1 of the shiftlever 25 pivotally mounted by means of the stud-screw 26 upon the post 27 rising from the base-plate l and atlording a means of shifting the pulley 13 endwisc of the driving shaft for eii'ecting the engagement and disengagement of the cl utchmembers 15 and'lli so as to connect and disconnect the machine and its source of power at the will of the operator.

The hammer-actuating shaft 21 has fixed thereon the l1ub'28 of the camovheel 0r trip 29 formed withaseries of peripheral teeth 30 having inclined outer faces to effect a wiping engagement with the concavely curved adjacent edge of the arm 31 having a split hub 32 rigidljrsecured by means of the clamp-screw 33 upon the hammer rockshaft 34 journaled in the bearing standards 22 parallel with the actuating shaft 21, said hub projecting laterally therefrom tension spring '38 Whose lower end is atopposite the arm 31 a second arm 85 formed in its upper side with the spaced notches 36 torecelve-the loop 37 at the upper end of a tache'd to a staple 39 upon the bed 5. The spring 38 serves to yieldingly maintain the arm 31 in operative relation with the hammer-retractingcam-wheel 29 and to impart to the hammer a peening impact. Assho'wn in detail in Fig. 6, the hammer rock-shaft 34 has formed integral therewith the block 40 havingfa lateral wing ll to afford a striking shoulder 42, to be later referred to, and a forward extension 43.

The split hub 4.4 of the'hammer-helve .45

is formed with the spaced ears 4L6 drawn together by means of the screw 47 to-clamp the same upon the hammer-shaft 34, and the to by means of the screw 00 passing through the part 43 and tapped into the helve, an

adjusting screw 51 being tapped through the extension l3 and its point resting upon thetop ofthe helve. Bymanipulation of the screws 17, 50 and 51 .in a well known manner the position of the hammer-head relative to its shaft 3% may be adjusted.

Adjacent the path of reciprocatory movement of the hammer is disposed the anvil or blade-support formed with a wedgeshaped blunt upper extremityand provided at the lower end with a flange 5i having tapped through it the adjusting screw whose point rests upon the top of the bed l'he anvil 52 is fitted within a chan nel in the bearing block 56 in which it is secured by means of the clamp-screw b7 passing through a slot 58 in the bearing block and tapped into the anvil. The bearing hlorl; In; is provided with the laterally extending feet 5 formed with the elongated res ll entered by the shanks ol the fa. n. g screws (31 b which the hearing block secured upon the bed 't'or adjustment both cndwise and crosswise of the operative fa se or the anvil. the slots 60 exceeding somewhat in width the diameter of the screws (11.

The end portion of the bed 5 opposite that supporting the har -her rock-shaft is mined upon its I jnul' sale with a longitudinal L'iiiilewav with marginal guide-liars (33 sin-211ml thereon in means oi the screws (ll to moi-hang aid slideway. within which latter is litted the sliding izui'iahc iron: wh ch depends through a -lcaranrusloti 1 in the bed a stud HT having the antidrictioh roller (58 which enters the 'cam groove 69 in 7-, and from Which'the carriage recei-vcsfts' toantl-i m traveling movements longitudinally of the bed i The shape of the cam-groove '69 will be seen by reference to Fig. 18, wherein the straight portion 69 constitutes the initial dwell for presentation of the needle-blade adjacent the sh-ankt'o the hammer fora sunseccion of straightening blows in the advance position of the needleover the anvil or needle-blade support, the inclined portion 69 produces the lengthwise feed of the needle for distribution of the hammer blows along the needle-blade, and the straight portion 69 arrests the feed of the needle to present that portion of the blade adjacent the eye for a final series of hammer blows.

-Aiter the arrest of the hammer reciprocaing blows adjacent the shank.

tio'ns, the roller-s'tud68 enters the abruptly inclined portion 69 of the cam-groove to' produce the final-retrograde movement of the needle to extreme retracted position wherein it is maintained by the'straight portion 69* while the straightened needle is ejected from the movable support or holder and an nnst 'ai'ghtened needle inserted therein, after which the traverse of the roller stud 68 through the abruptly and reversely.

inclined cam-groove portion 69 causes the l advance of the needle to extreme position 'over the anvil wherein it is maintained by traverse of the roller-stud within the dwell portion 69 to receive the initial straighten- The dwell portions 69 and 69 while represented as disposed in planes perpendicular to the axis of the cam-cylinder T0. are not necessarily so related to the planes above mentioned, as a slight inclination thereof" so as to correspondingly distribute the concentrated priiarv and final series of straightening im pacts near the opposite ends of the needleblade in contrast with theintcrmediate dis-.

tributcd series of blows may be found desirable under certain,circumstances. and with needles of rcrtain tempers It is ob; \iouslv immaterial whether the feedinzz movements derived from the cam-cvlinder 70 be imparted to the needle-holder T-l or to the hammer and adjacent anvil. as the straightening action would be the same in either case. I

l pon the forward end of the carriage (15 is secured l) means of screws 71 passing through apertures 7'2 therein the plate T l having projecting from its upper face the hlorl; T-l constituting the newllv-slninh support. The block T-l is shown provided in thto with an undercut transverse gi'oov'v in which is fitted the similarly formed haril'cumi bushing T5 havingi'n itsupper face the nneille-sluink receiving groove or pocket 76 of substantially semi-circular cross-section,

and thus provided with outwardly and upwardly inclined forward end rem-Word walls to fncilute the lateral introduction and re IllOVZll of the needla; in The bushing is securemn pos why means of a clamp-- screw 77 tapped into the block T-i with its point engaging a wearing strip "('8 inter-- posed between the same and the adjacent edge of the hushin n One of the upper cor- 11ers of the hioch '74; is cut away to form the longitudinal. groove .79 transverse to the pocket 76, and to the adjacent edge of the block is secured by means of they screws 86 the stop-plate 81 whose upper edge is sub-' stantinlly flush with the top oi. the bushing 75 and which forms with the notch 79 a runway transverse to the pocket 76 the function o'f'which "will he presently described.

The needle-support l'crded by the block 74: and its bushing}; 75 serves to sustain the shank: of the needle at one side of the path oi the hmnuien, While the anvil aii'ords 1 support for the needlel lo adjacent and. at "the cups? e hummer-path. llhile i support herein shown o "orrrling sine-sins oi? prod}. ling movement both-eon to. .2 d the hummer it evident innmteriul to the pi .eut invention Whi h of these uieiiuhers receives the actual feeding movement so long us their relation is so controlled in'the operation oi": the machine as to effect the exposure to the action of: the hummer oi 'diii'erent portions of ti h needle'hhide througlmut that portion of it .igth hetueeu'the eye and. the shunt.

DIS}. osed aha e the needleehunh pocket in the bushing 75 is the rotary trictirni-uheel 82 formed with :1v yielding facing such as that afforded tiimw'vh l being secured upon one end. of a shaft 811$ whose axis is inclined slightly to the needleshanh pocket '28 and to the direction 01 rurel of the carriage (55w Secured. upon the carriage adjacent the needlesu iiport is the foot 84 of the hearing; bracket 85 formed with rerticei guidcwziy 86 in which is fitted the r icsily movable journet-box: 87 for the adj cent end oi. the fric-- tioh rrheol. shaft the bearing bracket being provided above the some with on upright socket he ring in its upper end scrcwqiilug with loc. :-nut 90 between which and. the to oi" the ,llOX 87 is interposed. the spring ill o through the shaft 83 to press the frict i-wheel toward the bushing and into r'apcrutive engagement with the shank 71 of a needle n disposed in the groove or pocket "((3. The opposite end portion of the shaft 83 is formed with a longitudinal groove 83 entered by a spline secured by means of transverse pins 93 Within bushing 9-4; slidiugly fitted upon the shaft and formed with ztneck fitted to an aperture in the tilting hearing by rucheror leather, this fric" which is loosely shatt, thereby engaging the le'a .znedi: te gear 101 which meshes in turn with the uctuating gear 102' h ed upon the outer end of the czun-sl'uttt The connec tion between the shaft 83 and the hearing cinch: 9G suliiciently loose to ciurhle the shaft to slightly change its angular relw tion with the carriage under the influence of the toundfro longitudinal ino en'ient of the journuhbox 8i.

In order to permit the intrmfluction and removal of needles in the pocket 76, provision is made fortemporarily retracting the trictionu'hecl 82 in opposition to its spring. Thejcuruel-hcX'SY has a. lateral extension 8'1" beneath which extends one arm 102:) of it yoke-lever fulcruined. upon the stud-screw 10 i.- interuicdiute th puccd hearing l 105 inclin d cperntirt-i cdg adapted for meet with the com 108 End upon ti 1 .uiir shrrit adjacent the cuiu-cyliiidcr T0 and prorided \"v'ith e 1): r m-n. ijmiilli or pro jectiou 10:. adapted by its minent with the nose-piece 107 of the is or-arin 106 to lift the some and maintain it elevated for a short period in ouch rotation 0- the camurin 103 with the journal-ho: and causing the retraction of the frictiomwlreel iii-0x11 cngugoujicnt with the needle-shunit. Ample clearance is thus p 'idctl for rolnwui of the straightened 11 die and introduction of the unstruigln'rn 1 1c preparatory to a succeeding strr ditching operation.

To prevent the descent oi? the frictionwheel into contact with the ncq-dle-stqr port, the hearing bracket 85 has secured ridjustnhly thereto by in runs of the screw 110 passing through :1 shot ill the stoophltc 119 having a hinge 1.121% adorned for engagement with the at .ceut end. of the journal.-

hott 87 so as to limit its downward more went under the notion oi? the sir ng 91.

inc died with u lllilill'tll. extension 5.3" upon which is secured by means ot the screws 11 lthe i latiorin provided bed 5 is n uiongj the edges with the ribs U6 to form 3, (-hunnel'uay to receive the edges of the re nal groove in the upper face of said platform. ,The forward portion of the slideplate 117 is provided with a needlocantj clearance space 122. rearward upper edge cut away to form a in the form or a transverse slot 121 between which and its forward edge said plate is cut out 111 its under face to form a needle- The slot 121 "has its bevel .121 (Fig. 8) extending from one end to a point midway-of its ends and of gradually diminishing depth, the bevel being formed in a plane inclined to the length of the slot and to theupper'face of the slide-- plate, for a scribed.

The-slide-plate 117 is formed at its rearpurpose presently to be deward end yith the spaced bosses with an intermediate slot 12 within which is supported npon the pivotal pin 125 the roller 126 WhlChylS embraced by the fork 127 at the upper end of one arm 128 of an anglelever mounted upon the fulcrum screw-stud 12-9v sustained by the forked bearing block 130' upon the base-plate 1, said angle-lever having a second arm 131 carrying a rollerstud 132 maintained in engagement with the periphery of a cam-wheel 133 fixed upon the camshaft 7 The cam-wheel 133 has in -its periphery a substantially V-shaped recess 131 extending inwardly nearly to its supporting shaft 7 and a series of indentations 135st another part of the circumference, the roller-stud 132 being caused to follow the contour of the cam by means of the spring 136 connected at one end wit-ha pin 137 upon the lever-arm 12S and at the other, end to a fixed pin 188 depending from the bottom of the bed The rocking 1110-.8-

, ments'imparted to the angle-lever by means downwardly to the upper face of the slideplate 117 which has at its forward end a latral extension 117 moving in a slot 141 of, one .of the side-plates 141.

The slidefplate-thus affords a movable bottom for the hopper and in its full-stroke reciprocatory movements serves to carry laterally from the hopper needles dropping successively into the slot 121 forwardly over the platform 115, and into the needlepocket 76 of the 'needlesu'pport whose upper face is at the same level and continuous wlth said platform." c

The short'jogging movements ofthe slideplate or neecllecarriea 1.17 p

near its retracted position with the needlev are performed slot or cavity- 121 intermediate the lower edges of the end plates 142 of the hopper, and these jogging movements serve to agitate the needles and separate from the mass of needles indi idual needlesfor introductlon therein for conveyance to the needlesupport The unstraightened needles are he quently so bent or distorted by the'hardening or temperingoperation as to occupy a width of space materially greater than the diameter of their shanks, and their blades often become more or less interlocked, in

consequence. In order that they may bereceiving end of the slot 121, the needle entering the slot has itsblade upwardly in clined so that the shank first enters the slot and the blade is enabl'ed to disengage itself from those of t 1e ad acent needles, thereby preventing the clogging of the carrier in conveying the needlesindividually from the hopper.

Extending upwardl and forwardly from the forward extremity of the slide-plate 11-7 are the spaced perforated lugs 143 upon which-is pivotally mounted by means of the pins 1.1-1 the needle-ejector 145 having the forked eiector-fingers 146 and H'Z-to the latter of which is applied the spring 1 18 for pressing the same downwardly. The lower edges of the fingers 146 and 147 normally. rest izpon the unnerface -,of the. platform 115 when the slide-plate 117 is retracted, but in the advance of theslide-plate these tingers ride downwardly through the notches 1&9 and 150 in the forward edge of the platform, the finger 1418 traversing the runway 79 extending transversely of the butt ends of the needle-shank as represented in Fig. 10.

Upon the delivery side of the needle-sup port and flush with the top of the same is :1 extension thereof 151 formed with a badvvardly projecting needlesupporting finger 152 and with a transverse depression 153, the extension member having foot-piece 154.- secured by means of a screw 155 upon the top of the carriage 65. The inclined upper face of the body 14-5 of the e ector has secured thereon by means of the screw 156 a needle-retaining spring 157 extending for; wardly intermediate the fingers 146 and 14. and so shaped at its outer end as to lightly press the. needle upon the top of theneedleably connected with the head 159 support 74. the finger 152 and extension 151 thereby producing suflicient resistance to the advance of the needle to confine it within the forked operative ends of theejecting lingers so as to positively control. the move ment of the needle. As the ejector reachesextreme advance positionundcr the action of the slide-plate 11.7 in conveying a needle from the hoppor'to the needle-shank pocket 76 the straightened needle engaged'by the ejecting fingers drops into the depression 153 and out of the range of action of the retaining spring gravity into the delivery chutefor conveyance into the receiving tray or receptacle.

As herein shown, the end plates 1 12 of the hopper are formed with the vertical slots 1 12 to receive the pressure bar 158 detachof a ver' tical bar 160 suitably journaled in'the bed extension 5* and in practice carr 'ing a weight by means of which a pressure is placed upon the shanks of the needles in the chute so as to maintain the needles in sub stantially parallel relation to insure their proper delivery, to the carrienplate 1.17.

Secured upon the bed 5 adjacent one of the bearing standards by means ()Zii'SQi'QWS 161. is the foot 162 of an abutment plate 163 formed with an inclined. and circularly curred Sllllllldfjl 164i toward and from which the shoulder 41-2 of the striker {11 moves upon the shaft 341 during the operation of the hammer. Intermediate the shoulders 42 and 16a is interposed the wedge-shaped spacehlock 165 constituting the active member of the impactregulator and which is sustained by. means of. an elastic stem 166 bent transversely-from the outer endof'a vibratory lever 167 Whose opposite end is formed with a round shank 168 fitted to a transverse aperture"1( 5 9 in the collar 170 formed integral with the feeler 'roclt-shaft 171 having at its opposite ends the axial pins 172 j'ournaled in central apertures in the bushings 173 secured.

by'means of set-screws 174i in'the spaced standards 175 of a controller-bracket 176 having a foot 177 provided with elongated transverse apertures 178 entered by the shanks of the fastening screws 179 by means of which said-bracket is ad ustably secured upon the bed 5. The shank 168 of the lever 167 is secured adjustably Within the aperture 169 by means of the set-screw 180.

. Any suitable means may be employed for connecting the wedge-block 165 resiliently with the vibratory lever 167, but it is important that such connection be suliiciently rigid to sustain th wedge-block in its moyomcnts along cthe grace of so as to avoid an I such movement. As shown niorc particu- Figs. 1 and 12 the inner face of the 165 is substantially concentric space-block I and the ad awith the controller shaft 171,

157, and thus rolls by 189 therein.

. at the side oi? the the abutment 164 frictional resistance to cent face of the abutment is similarly curved so as to enable the space block to move as closely as possible thereto without actually touching it in its movement under the influence of the lever 167. I

The rock-shaft 171 has secured thereon. by means oi the setscrew 181 a block 182 in which is secured. a laterally vbcxitradially extending arm 183 carrying the counterweight 184.- secured adjustab y thereon by means of the set-screw 185. be offset portion oil. the arm 183 is embraced. between two spaced stop-lugs 186 formed upon an angleplate 187 adjustably secured upon one of the standards 17 5 of the lccler-bracliet by means of a screw 188 whose shank enters a slot By meansot the weighted arm 183 just described, the lever 167 and the space-block 165 are counter-balanced upon "the supporting ll'FClPSllflll) 171, while the stop-lugs 186 posltivclylin it the range of movement of the space-block and insure against orcrtln'ow under abnormal conditions of control in'rpartcd by the action of the hammer upon the needle.

b er i by means of the setazcrew 1%)!) upon c rock-shaft. 17.1 intermediate the collar 170 and llloclr. 182 is a forked block 191 to the opp to faces of which are socured by means at serous 192 and 198 the elastic shanks 191 of two relatively yielding springarms .195 extending lengthwise of the needle and the directim'i of movement of the carriage and having at their outer ends the alincd h nges 196. Each oi these flanges is fitted to and secured by means of a astening screw 197 within a channel formed in the back of one of the component sections 198 and 5.99 o'f'a die constituting the color co11tact-me1nbcr and whose relatively tongued and. recessed adjacent portions are formed with the substantially round needlerccciring aperture 300 which. is outwardtv flared to form a conical month 201 in the outer face. The springarins 19.7mm sulliciently thin to yield in unis in. laterally so as to follow the-circular inovi'aucnts of the unstraightcned needle entering the die, while the elasticity of their shanks 191 permits the separation of the (l'l-f5fl()i3lflll$ i'iormally held together thereby and thus adapts them to accommralate a nrcdle-blarlc of larger than normal size to proride for emergency by accililcnt associated in the same charge ol' the hopper.

As will be evident by rl-yferencc to the drawings. the lceler preferably arranged anvil. or stationary needle- ;aipport opposite the path of inovcmcntcf theha nmer and its component members are adaptedto contact with the opposite sides of the needle-blade close to the anvil, with the upper member thereof engaging the same side 01 the needle-blade: as the hammer.

In order to provide for the adjustment of the spring arms 195 toward and from each other, the block 191 is shown in Fig. 15 vvith the portions of its opposite 'faces adj cent the screws 193 slightly convergent, that by turning these screws in, one or the other direction the distance between the arms may be varied. The screw-apertures in the flanges 196 to accommodate the screws 197 are made of elongated form so as to permit the adjustment of the die-sections upon their respective carrying arms to'coinpensate for wear resulting from long continued use; By removing the screws 19? thevdie-sections may obviously be remm ed for replacement by others fitted to a di'ii'ercnt size oi? needle.

In practice, the needle-holding and straightening members may be properly set for effective operation by first inserting a perfectly straight needle in the holding support 7% and advancing the carriage to bring the needle-blade above the anvil; then adjusting the top or operative edge of the anvil a few thousandths of an inch below the lower side of the needle-blade, and finally setting the hammer upon its rockshaft 34; by meansof the adjusting screws 50 and '51 to bring the point or nose of the hammer-head just into contact relation with the top of theneedle-blade. When the ham- 'mer is at rest in its extreme lower position,

it is thus set at a point slightly more re moved from the plane. of the face of the anvil than the diameter of the needle-blade.

The hammer is su'ccessiveh li 'ted and re leased by engagement of the arm 31 with the per-i i the lian'inier-head being lifed to the same point in each retract-ire movement and performing its operative stroke under the influence of its own weight augmented by the action of thespring 38 until forciblv arrested by en inent of its striker with the a e space-block interposed between the same and the fixed abutment or thrust-block 163. The; gyratorv movements of the unstra: ht-

'ened needle passing through the die over and adjacent the anvil impart to the feelerarfm vibratorv movements winch are communicated to" the le er lGTtransmitting to the V move' nts. The position of the spacesit on of the shou in..-

ce-block its operative reciprocatory block obvi ousl determines the Stfi}')])lng polder l? of the striker relative to the fixed shoulder 16% and thus determines the extent of the effective stroke, and hence the effectiveness of the blow struck bv the-hammer. As the determination 05. ammerstroke is by this means delayed until actuallv the instant that the blow delivered to the needle, and as the control of its stroke is regulated bv the deflection of the need e from its axis at the same instant andcupon the diameter of the.

teeth of the tripping cam 29,

needle 'parallel'with the direction of move mentor the hammer, it will be seen that without interrupting the uniform rotation v enables it to act asxa recoil absorber .which accommodates in the feeler itself the abnormally rapid changes in the deflection of the needle produced bythc impact of the hammer thereonand prevents their being transmitted to anvconsiderable extent to and causing the excessive overthrow of the active member'165 or of the impact regulator. By emplovment of the stop-members 186 the lever 18? is prevented from performing such abnormal movement, and the control. of the space-block is not therefore -materiallv impaired by the blow of the hammer upon the needle undergoing-the straightening operation.

Suitably secured upon the bed 5 is the inclined chute extending forwardly f om the needle support extension 151 and provided with the side flanges 203 .to which are pivoted by means ofthe transverse pins 20% the depending ears 2'05 of the swinging gate 206 formed with the needle-detaining lip ZOY'normallv resting upon the bottom of the chute and serving as a barrier to arrest the straightened needles as thev are deli ered from the needle-suuport 906 has a fo wardlv extending arm 208 with a downwardlv and laterallv inclined finger i zfltl no mallv deuendingbelow the extens on-plate 151 but adapted to be engaged by the same in the travel of the carriage to present a needle for the stra ghtening open atioxn thereby causing the l fting of the gate and raising of the lip 207 to permit the straightened needle previously detained t'lierebv to continue its mo ement through the chute and into the holding receptacle The gate 210 .which is pro ided on the adjacent side with the hooked lugs Q11 engaging the upper edge of a plate 212 suitablv secured to the front edge of the bed The obiect in arresting the movement of the needles be t een their release from the eiector and arrival in the rcce'utacle 910 is to insure theirsi bstantial uniform delivcrv within the a 1g receptacle. As the shanks are conidcrahlv larger and heavier than the blades.

the teuoeucv is for the needles to assume various directions in moving any considerable a as i with the portions 69 69 .60 tion of an unstraightened needle :tance through the chute if the latter is pro gided with means of control such as e herein shown and described. While the needles are being introduced removed from the needle-support and lc they are being advanced across the. anvil and through the icelcr-die to present *ally for the straightening action the ,ofthe blade joining the shank, it is periphery of lifting cam fixed upon the -21 Uri: aft 7. This cam is formed in two 1-. tions E HT and 5218 arranged side by side and. formed with substantially circular peripheries with proiections 219 and 220, "respectively, forming operative portions. The hub 221 of the primary section 217 is secured adiustably upon the camshaft by at; means of the set-scrcw 2:22, and the hub 223 of the auxiliary section is lit-ted upon the hub 221 of the primary section and secured for circular,adjustment thereon by means of the set-screw 224. By shitting one of thesesections upon the other, the efi'ective length of theoperatiye face of the com jY- PI'OSlt B cam thus formed. may be lengthened -01" shortened to produce the requisite period of inaction of the hammer-, Which is determined by the length of the needle-blade be- ;t w'een the eye and the shank.

As'representeddiagrammatically in Fig. 17; the projections 219 and 220 of the sectional cam 217 218 are arranged in register and (39 oi: the feedcam groove 69 in order that the action ot the hammer may be interrupted While the rotator 82' is arrested or the release of a straightened. needle and subsequent inserand wnile the carriage is moving bachwardly from the final straightening position and advancing to extreme initial straightening position rel ative to the anvil. T he projections 261.5 and 220 are obviously adjusted relatively to the .cam shaft'i' andto each other in such mannor as to determine the period of action and timing of operation of the hammer to pro 'uc'e the desired number of impacts upon iihe needle during the initial and final dwells of the same, the number of blows adjacent the needleeye being preferably somewhat greater-than near the shank;

In order to provide for needles of differ cent side-plate 'megnbers, is retracted,

lower extremity separate ent lengthirom point to butt end of shank,

an adjustable lining plate 225 is applied to one side of the necdle-hopper-and is formed with an outwardly projecting stud 2'26 passing through a bearing boss olf the :idja 141 and secured adjustably therein by means of the set-screw In the initial pr ms of the operative parts of the mcclumism v the carriage, which sustains the movable neeclle-s:.1pport 74- constituting' one of the needle-shank gripping the needle-carrying slide -plate is withdrawn to position. its needle'cavity beneath thelower end oi. the hopper, the other gripping member, consisting of the frictioirwheel or rotator, is raised, and the hammer retained in elevated position by engagement of the JOYPlJtll Elli with the helve all. as ici'ntscntml in l! 1, 2, 3 and 4t. The actuation of the shiftlGYQl 25 to throw the clutclrhub of: the continuously rotating pulley '13 into operative relation with the clutch-member of the fixed belt-pulley 17 causes the rotation of the main-shaft 10, the hammer-actuating shaft 21 and cam-shaft 7. v

,The needlc-inserter or carrier 117 now makes afull stroke which c: an unstraigbtened needle n a Wi hlll its cavity 121 forwardly over the platform ill!) toward the needle-support and simultancously carries the ejecting lingers 148 and i l-7 to, between and beyond the separated needleshank gripping members, thus causing them to forcibly engage the blade 11 and shank 01', respectively, oi the previously straightened needle resting in the groove or pocket 76. Asthe carrier completes its advance or operative movement, the shank oi": the unstraightenednecdle is caused to drop into the pocket 76 with the adjacent portion of its blade resting upon the supporting or steadying finger 152 ot' the extension 15,1. The needlecarrier now retires and the rotating frictionwheel 82 descends into frictional engagement with the needle shanlr and rotates it while detained from lateral movement by engagement of thelnclined side-Wall of its pocket. After the needle-carrier has returned to retracted initial g'iosition, the qagcment oi the 1ol.le"stud 1.333 with the plua'al cavitics i735 oi the can i is 'a slight jogging: n 'eruen i v .n. the mass at unstraightcned a single i'icczl'lr-zul'iich l2l prepa 'atory to a needles in toe hopper drops into the slot :uicceed The carriage now ma a quiclr movement to extreme advance position under the action oi the feed-cam so as to bring that portion of the needle-blade a(l 'acent the shank close to the anvil and within the path of the lllIIlll11',lll1 point of the needle entering the feelc l.ie aperture 200. The stop-bar 214 then descends to release the hammer-helve and the hammer begins its operative recipro-z Ill - l trans 'er stroke or the carrier.

v part feeler-arm' 195 trolling device is represented in Figs. 19

sitionbf. the hammer is formed eccentri-- and 20 wherein the block l0 fixed to the hammer rock-shaft 3% is formed with a lateral wing 41 having a curved lower operative edge l? which, in the striking phcally to a fulcnum-pin mounted in fixed bearings 230. mounted thereon the hub 281 of an angleleverlhaving an upwardly extending arm 232 whoseupp'er end is adapted to atl'ord a stop for engagement with the operative face d2 of the wing 41, while a laterally extending arm of said lever isformed with a rounded extremity 234 entering a socket in the laterally extending lever 36 whose shank 237 is secured within the ransverse aperture of the collar ,170 of the feeler'rock-shaft 171 by means of the set-screw 180. I

In this modification ofthe improvement, the feeler rock-shaft is oscillated by engagement of the feeler-arm with the needle as in that previously described, and the consequent vibrations of the lever are communicated to the stop armfl32 of the vibratory angle-lever to bring the point of the same at varying distances from the hammer rock-shaft 3, whereby the efiective stroke of the hammer is controlled in a manner similar to that previously described.

In this construction it will be observed that the member-232 is the equivalent of the space-blockltlfi,while the fulcrum-pin 2-29 receives the thrust of the striking member f notion of the thrust-block 163.

The inclination of the axis ofrotation of t 1e friction-wheel 82 relative to the needlere'cess 76 has a tendency to produce both circular and endwise movementsof the needle, the end ise thrust serving to mamtain the butt end of the vneedle-shank firmly pressed against the stop-plate 81 so as to maintainfthe needle in fixed position upon its traveling'support, but it is obvious that this inclination of the needle-rotating means might readily be employed, by omission of the stop-plate, in producing the endwise feeding movements of the needle upon a stationarysupport without departure fromthe scope of the present invention. The needle-shank recessis for convenience made I in the formof a groove corresponding sub stantially in diameter with the needle-shank,

- but it.:is evident that any suitable means may be provided iupon the needle-support for detaining the ireedle-shank from lateral movement under the upper face of the The fulcrum-pin 22-9 has action of the friction wheel, the function of the depression in the needle support being merely to maintain the needle in position thereon during the straightening operation: in operation the needle-shank is held resrllently upon its traveling support by the yielding-faced rotating member 82 to enable the needle to accommodate itself 'to the peening action produced by the impact of the hammer intermediate the relatively movable supports, while the blow is directed upon the needle-blade intermediate such ri 'id supports. The relation of the cams 69 and upon the needle-blade are concentrated around tile latter adjacent both the shank and the eye, at the beginning and conclusion oi ments of the needle beneath the hammer.

The cylindrical surface of the needleshank has a bearing edirectly upon its support with the blade disposed very slightly above the operative edge of the anvil and rotates in contact with the walls of the cavity in its support during the straightening operation so that the blade is gaged or centered with precision under the action'of the hammer relative to the-shank,

and the needle is thus held-during thestraightening operation in precisely the same'way in which it is ultimately secured in the needle-clamp of a sewing machine for cooperation with a loop-taker in performing the stitcl7.forming operations' As the controller or feeler is very-accurately counterbalanced so as to impose sub stantially no resistance to the controlling action of the needle which it embraces, it

constitutes."practically a floating member capable of following with great freedom and precision all movements of the needle transversely of the latters axis such as or imparted by bends or 'eccentricities therein. It is also free to move laterally in a horizontal plane. As the feeler and impact-regulator are mounted upon a unitary support, shown herein consisting of the rock-shaft 171, it is evident that they are caused to move in unison, so that the movements of one are transmitted accurately to the other 2-17 issuch, however, that the blows of the hammer the endwise feeding move From the toregoi be seen that the. in volves principles rangement of the susceptible ofemb ent forms and Z )c itions of parts, that thepresent intention is not therefore limited to the details of construction and arrangement shown and described herein.

Having thus setforth the nature of the invention, what 1 claim herein. is 1. In a straightenll'lg machine, the com bination With a plurality of separated neerile-supports, means whereby during the straigl'itening operation theneedle is turned upon one thereof with its axis in a substan tially tinedposition by a substantially in variable yielding pressure upon its shank, and a straightener inventing between said supports.

2. In a straightening machine, the combi nation with a' plurality of separated needle- :it "Will. ovement i as parts which are lent in Widely differ 'siipports, means whereby the needle is revolubly held. upon one thereof in axially fired relation with the path. of movement of the straightener by a resilient pressure upon its shank, and a straightener operating be tween said supports.

in a straightening machine,

cessed shank-support separated therefrom, means for rotating the needleshanl: in said recess as bearing, means for restraining the shank support against movement crosswise of its recess, and a straightener operat ing between said supports.

i. In a straightening machine, the combination with a recessed bearing "for the needleshank laterally stationary relative to the operations on the needle, oi means for rotating the needle-shank on said bearing, and

a straightener op rating upon the needle blade, wherein the "position of the needle in being straightened is gaged by the rotating shank upon the walls of its recess.

5. In a straightening machine, the combination with a bearing laterallystationary relative to the operations on the needle and upon which the needle-shank is rotatable, of a rotator, and a straightener operating upon the needle-blade Wherebythe position of the needle being straightened is gaged by the contact of the shank upon the hearing on which it rotates.

6. In a needlestraightening machine, in combination, a feeler containing two contact members, a spring holding one of said con tact members toward the other and an impact regulatorconnected With said feeler.

7. in a needle straightening machine. lil combination, a. hammer means for turnii'ig the needle, a feeler containing a spring pres ed contact member operated by the W aory movements of the needle-blade, and an impact regulator mechanically connected the combi nation with a needle-blade support, 01 a re to lhnit the advance hei'leedle.

machine,- in.

.cans for turning ot the noedleaemlwtr operatmjl lilg itl'lll $112-- a an] stantially unitary support for said teeler and regulator.

ll. In a straightening machine, the combination With an anvil, and ahammer, of a. ii'eelcr at the oppositeYside of said anvil from the hammer and on the opposite side.

of the needle-blade from said anvil, an impact-regulator for said hammer, and mechanism connecting the feeler and impactregulator and containin a recoil-absorber .to absorb the recoil. pr need on the feeler by the impact of the hammer.

12. In a straightening machine, the combination with needle-supporting means, of a hammer, an impact-re ulator therefor, and a feeler contacting Wit the needle for controlling said regulator and mounted to be freely inovalol in directicns transverse to the needle and to each other.

1'8v In a straightenin machine, the combination with a straightener, of separable needle-gripping members, a needle-ejector, a needle-inserter, and means whereby the ejector is moved to, between, and beyond the separated gripping'members.

14-. In a straightening machine, the com bin-ation with a straightener, of separable needle-gripping members, means for imparting to said gripping members movements longitudinally of the needle, a needle-ejector movable transversely needle, a needle--inserter, and means wherebv the ejector is moved laterally to, be-

tween and beyond theseparated gripping members.

15. In a straightening machine, the combEn-ation with'an anvil and a needle-support saturated therefrom and. alfording a bear ing for thenecdle; of a hammer movable in a path intermediate said anvil and needlesupport, and means for effecting simulta-- neous'ly the actuation of the hammer, a relative teedin movement between the hammer of the p and the needle lengthwise of the latter, and the rotation of the needle in contact With and in relation to its support. l

16. In a straightening machine, the combination with an anvil and a needle-support separated therefrom and aiiording a bearing for the needle, of a hammer movable in path intermediate said anvil and needle-s11 port, hamn'ier-actuating means, and means, including a. needle-engaging member having a direction oi movement eccentric to the axis of the need e, whereby the "needle is rotated and relative feeding movements lengthwise ofthe needle are produced he tiveen the needle and the hammer.

17. in a straightening machine, the comhination with an anvil, a hammer, and hammer-actnating' means, of a needle-siipport, and a rotary friction-Wheel adJaoent the needlessustainmg face of sand supportand having an axis-of rotation inclined to the.

needle.

18. In a straightening machine, the combination with an anvil. a hammer, and ham- 'mer-actuating means, of a needle-support, a rotary friction-Wheel adjacent the needle sustainingr face of said support and having an axis of rotation inclined to the needle, a stop to receive one end of the needle under the action of said friction-Wheel, and means for producing relative feeding movements between the needle-support and the ham- .mer.

19. In a Straightening machine, the coinhination with an anvil, a hammer, and hanr liner-actuating" ineagns, of a needle-support, a rotary frictionavheel adjacentthe needlesustaining face of said support and adapt ed to engage and rotate the needle, and means for moving said frictionovheel to- Ward and from said needle-sustaining face of the support to permit the introduction and removal of the-needle.

'20. In, a straightening machine, the combination vvith an anvil, a hammer, and hammer-actuatingmeans,of a needle-support, a rotarv friction-Wheel adjacent the needlesu'staining face oi said support and adapt ed to e11 gre and rotate the needle, a spring for pressing said friction-Wheel tOWzIlClSlltl support, and automatically acting means for retracting said friction-Wheel in opposition to'said spring.

'21 .ln a straightening machine, the comhinz ion with an anvil, a hammer. and hanraim-actuating means, of a needle support having a laierallv open needle-shank pocket, a ncel'llwhimper, a reciprocating carrierplate havin; a needle-cavitv movable therewith into andout of said hopper and into reg'ri er with the needle-shank POCliGi], and means for rotating". the needle in said needieshank pocket.

In a straightening machine, the combinationwith an anvil, a hannner, and hamhavingr a laterally nier actuating means, having a laterally open needle-shank pocket, needle-hopper, a reciprocatin carrier.- plate having needle-cavity mova 1e therewith intov and out of-said hopperand into register with the needle'shank pocket, actuatin g' means for imparting- .to the carrierp-late fnlland partial-stroke reciprocations for each needlestraightening operation, and

dc pocket.

in av straightening machine, the comhaving sustain the-needle ivithin'said cavity in its con va ce from the hopper to the needlepocket, and means for actuating said r-plate. i

a straightening machine, the comwith. an anvil, a hammer. and hammer-actuating; means, of a needle-support open needle-shank pocket, a. needle-hopper, a reciprocating carrierplate having; a needle-caviti movable there- With into and out of said hopper and into r ter with the needleshank pocket, said cavity having' an upper edge formed with a j evel extending from one end toward the other of gradually reduced depth. and means for rotating the needle in said needle-shank pocket.

in a machine .of the classfdescrihcd, a combination with a tool for acting, upon ie needle, of aneedle-hopper having a width at its delivery end suflicientto acconnnodate a plurality of needles side-byside, aneedle-support. and a'carrier all'ording a bottom for said hopper and. movable laterally between the same and said support til conveying needles from one. to the other or action of said tool.

26. In a straightening machine, the comnination with an anvil, a hammer. and hammer-actuating means, of a needle-support having a laterally open needle-shank pocket formed with an outwardly and forwardly imiined Wall on the nccdle-discharginc' side, needle-rerating means adapted for engagewith the needleshank in said pocket, an ejector adapted to engage the needleof a. needle-support means rotating the needle in said needle on with an anvil, a hammer, and ham.-. iner actuating means,

and force the same over said inclined \vall and out of register with said rotating means.

2?. In a straiglitening machine. the combination with an anvil, a hammer. and hammerractuating means, of a needle-support provided with a needle-shank pocket, :1 friction-driver adapted to engage and rotate a needleshank Within said pocket, automatlcally acting means for retracting said friction-driver from operative relation with the needle-shank, and automatically acting means for ejecting the needle from said sup port while the friction-driver is retracted.

28. Inastraightening machine, the combination with an anvil, a hammer, hammer-actuating means, a needle-support, and needlerotating means adapted for operative engagement with a needle sustained by said support, of a carrier'for placing a needle upon said support in register. with said rotating-means, and means for ejecting the needle from said support.

29. In a straightening machine, the combination *ith an anvil, a hammer, hammeractuating-f-means, a needle-support, and needle-rotating means adapted for operative engagement with a needle sustained by said support, of. a carrier for placing a needle upon said support in register with said rotating means, means for ejecting the neele therefrom, and an operative connection between said carrier and ejector whereby they are operated successively to replace one needle upon said support with another.

30. In a straightening machine, the combination with an anvil, a hammer, hammeractnating means, a needle-support having a laterally open pocket, and needle-rotating means adapted for operative engagement With "a needle sustained within said. pocket, of a reciprocating carrier for placing a needle within the pocket of said support,

and needle-ejecting fingers pivotally connected with said carrier and movable there Withtransversely of the needle and adapted to remove the same from said pocket.

31. In a straightening machine, the con1- binationwith an anvil, a hammer, hammeractuating means, a needle-support having a laterally open pocket and an extension be vond and on the delivery side of said pocket, and needle-rotating means adapted for op erative engagement with a needle sustained within said pocket, of a carrier for placing a needle within the pocket of said support, a re ciprocatory ejector for removing the needle from said pocket prov ded with needle-engaging fingers and an ntermediate spr1ngretainer adapted to yieldingly retain the needle upon said extension of the needlesupport while engaged by the ejector-fingers.

82. In a straightening machine, the com bination with a needle-support, an anvil, a hammer, and means tor producing relative feeding movements between the needle and the hammer, of a striker having a rig d connection with said hammer and deriving a stopmember normally disposed within the range of movement of said striker, a fulcrum upon which said stop-member 1S sustained and stop-member, and a vibratory around which it moves, a fixed abutment to sustain the impact of the striker upon said stop-member, and means controlled by the deflection oi the needlei'rom its axis for shifting the position of said stop-member to determine the hammer action.

33. In a straightening machine, the combination with a needle-support, an anvil, a hammer, and means for producing relative feeding movements between the needle and the hammer, of a stationary thrust-block, a striker having a rigid connection with said hammer and movable therewith toward and from the thrust-block, a space-block inter posed between the thrust-block and the striker and adapted for engagement with the latter to arrest its movement, a carrier for sustaining the space-block independently of said thrust-block, and means including a controlling member engaging the needle and actuated by the deflection theyeoi from its axis for shifting the position of the spacebloclr along the adj scent :l'ace oi? the thrustbloclr.

84.. In a straightening machine, the combination with a needle-support, an anvil, a hammer, and means for producing relative feeding increments liietwern the n edle nd the hammer, of a stationar't tllli -b1\ striker having a rigid connection with l1a1nnn51r,and movable therewith town rd and from the tln-ust-blocr i s nce-block ini'e posed between the tin t-block and the striker and adapted for engagement with the latter to arrest its movement t reel prooatin carrier with which said s1 block has a resilient connection and by which it sustained inde pendently of the:thrust-block, and means controlled in 1' action b" the deflection of the needle from its or shilting the position of said space-block to determine the hai'niner action.

ciprocatory movements therelrrm, stopmember normally #posod within the range movement of S2L1t'l, E5t1ll E-l?, a roe-i. shaft sustaining said stop member and around which itmoves in a rth transverse to that of. the striker, fixed aontment to sustain the impact of the striker l n said having an operative stop-member for impart eiprccatory movements connect i 'c i they,

needle-engaging member (la-posed ljac-ent said anvil and engaging the n ole item which it derives its vibratm I110\1T1Gllt.

3%), in a straightening machine, the comhination With a XK-JQdlQ-SUP'POPE, an anvil, a

hammer, and means for producing relative V feedmgmovements between the needle and the hammer, of a stationary thrust-block, a striker having a rigid connection with saidhammer, and movable'therewith toward and fromthe thrust-block, a space-block interposed between the thrust-block and the I striker and adapted for engagement with the' latter to arrest'its movement, a vibratory l0 arm upon which the space-block ismounted and sustained independently of the thrustblock, a rock-shaft upon which said vibratory'ar'm is fixed, and a fe'eler-arm also fixed upon said rock-shaftand provided with mearlis for engaging the needleadiacent said anvi I 37. In a straightening machine, the ambination with a needle-support, an anvil, a ,hammer,' and means for producing relative feeding movements betw'een'the needle'and the hammer, of a striker having a rigid connection with said hammer and deriving reciprocatory movements therefrom, a stopmember normally disposed within the range of-movement of said striker, a'rock-shaft susta ning 'said stop member and around.

which it moves in a circularpath transverse to that'of theistri'ken-a fixed abutment to,

sustain the impact of'the striker upon said stop-member, a vibratory feeler-arm having an operative connection with said stop-member for imparting thereto its reciprocatory movements and carrying a needle-engaging member disposedadjacent said anvil and en: gaging the needle from-which it derives its vibratory movements, and stops for de termining the extreme positions of said feeler-arm and thus fixing its range of On I erative movement." v i 40 88. In a straightening machine, the combination with'a needle-support, an anvil, a

hammer, and means for producing relative feeding movements between the needle and the hamm'er, of a striker having a rigid con- 4 5 nection with said hammer and deriving reciprocatory movements'therefrom, a stopmember normally disposed within the range of movement of said striker, a rock-shaft sustaining said stop --member and around '50 which it moves in a-circular path transverse to that of'the striker, a fixed abutment to sustain the impact of the striker upon said stop-member, a vibratory feeler-arm fixed upon said rocleshaft and carrying a needleengaging member disposed adjacent said anViland engaging the needle from which it derives its yibratory movements, and an djustable' stop-member adapted to control e' range of movement of 'Sfild rock-shalt and determine the amplitude of such movements. k w

.- 539; In a straightening machlne, thevcombination with a needle-support, of an anvil adjustable toward and from the same, a

hammer also adjustable toward and from said. needle-support, hammer-actuating means, means controlled-in its action bythe deflection of the needle from its axis forvarymg the action of the .hammer, and

means for producing relative feeding movements between the needle" and the hammer.

.40. Ina straightening machine, the combination with a needle-support, of an, anvil adjustable toward and from the same, a hammer also ad ustable towardand from means for producing relative feeding movements between the needle and the hammer, of means for determining the effective actlonof the hammer and including a: 're c1p-- rocally movable carrier and a die adapted to embrace a needle adjacent the anvil, and means forremovably securing it to said carrier.

Ina straightenin machine, the combination with an anvil, a hammer, hammer actuating means, a needle-support, and means for producing relative feeding movements between the needle and the hammer, of means for determining theeffect'ive action of the hammer and'includinga-reciprocally movable carrier anda die formed of separable sections and adaptedto embrace a needle ad acent the anvil.

In a straighteningmachine, the combination with an anvil, a hammer, hammeractuating means, a needle-support, and

means for producing relative feeding movetion of the hammer and includinga reciprocally movable carrier comprising members adapted to yield toward and from each other, and a die adapted to embrace a needle adjacent the anvil and formed in separable sections each attached to one of said yield? ing members of the carrier. I

id. In a straightening machine, the combination, with an anvil, a hammer-,hammeractuating means needle-support and means for producing relative feeding movements between the needle and the hammer,

of means for determining theintensity of action of the hammer andincludmg a reciprocally movable carrier comprising mem-' bers adapted to yield toward and from eachflments between the needle and the hammer, of means for determining the eifective acother and laterally Tn unison, and li die adapted to embrace a needle adjacent the anvil and formed in separable sections each attached to one of said yielding members of the carrier. g

45. 111 alstraightening machine, the com hination with an anvil, e hammer, hammer-- actuating means, a needle-support, and means for producing relative feeding movements betii een the needle, and the hammer, of means for determining the intensity of action oi the hamnierand including a reciprocally movable carrier constructed With s n-ing-arms adjustahltoward. and from each other, and a die adopted to embrace a needle adjacent the anvil and formed in sep arable sections each attached to-one of said spring-arms.

46. In a straightening machine, the C0111? bination. With an anvil, a hammer, hammeractuatin means, a needle-support, and

means for producing relative feeding move- ,ments between the needle and the hammer,

of means controlled by the deflection of the needle tor determining the eliective action of the hammer, means for determining the period of action of the hammer during the feeding operation, and means controlled independently ot the eccentricity the needle for varying the length of the period of ac tion ot the limminei'.

+27. In a straightening machine, the com bination with an anvil, zi hammer, hammeractuating :ans, a needle-support, and means tor producing relatii'e feeding more inents between. the needle and the hammer,

of means controlled by tin,- deflection of the needle for determining the intensity of: action of the hammer, stop-bar acting 1ndefor ,rinterrupting and a rotary actuating cam for said stepbar formed in independent sections mounted for relative circular ad mnent to vary the effective length of the operative portion of said cam. i a

412 In a, 'trnightening machine, the comhinetion 'W h an anvil, a hammer, hammer actua Log .lllS, and. men for presenting a needle or the action of the hammer, of a neciglleiector, a delivery chute, a noriii-ally c. l needle-detaining gate therein, and means for opening said gate intermediate successive actuatione of the needleejector. I

' 4:9. ln a straightening machine, the co1nbination with an anvil, a hammer, l'mmmer actuating means, nieans for presenting a needle for the action of the hammer, and means for producing relatii'e feeding move ments between the needle and the hammer, of a needle-ejector acting to disengage the needle from its presenting means after each straightening operation, a delivery chute, a.

normally closed needle-detaining gate there in pivotally mounted transver" o to and Within the same, and a laterally extending arm connected With said gate and lying Within the range of movement of a part actuated by said feeding means whereby the gate is opened once tor each feeding action;

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this s Jecification, in the 11 essence of two subscribing Witnesses.

llElll-llfllll E. NOON.

Witnesses 2 Henna? A. IiORNElL-UJN, l-lnr; or J MILLER.

we of the hammer, 

